Cascina delle Rose

Rio Sordo Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2011

9.5

I've been hesitant to open this because the Tre Stelle was so challenging and this is supposedly the more structured of the two, but I shouldn't have been, as this is a wonderful and phenomenally easy-to-drink wine, about as friendly as young nebbiolo ever gets. If it is indeed more tannic than the Tre Stelle, that is only the case on paper as the structure is smoothed over by rich, very polished fruit that still has the gloss of youthfulness but whose flavors are well past the primary into savory and earthy territory with a sticky grip. It opens with a dazzlingly complex aromatic punch of herbs and a succulent meatiness, which quiets down soon enough but the wine never shuts down. The fruit is in crimson tones, plummy at first and then more towards apple skin hours later as it backs down from that initial generosity, but throughout the bottle it is full and plump, finishing with stony earth. I'm slightly tempted to call it autumnal just on account of the complexion but that doesn't seem to work because there is a very clear sense of freshness here. No leatheriness or other badges of oxidative aging that surface fairly often even in nebbiolos that I *like*: this bottle captured everything in pristine condition, making an exceptionally delicious wine with a robust inner core but a flawless veneer with no rough edges, brimming with generous, richly constituted nebbiolo goodness. — 11 years ago

Anthony and Jeff liked this

Maision Belleroche

Pays d'Oc Cabernet Sauvignon

Adam Stokes

8.9

Dark ruby colour. Aromas of red berry, maybe blackberry, cigar box and paper. Low (though more than some) residual sugar. Medium fruits and acid, relatively high tannin. Full bodied red that is well balanced with a bit of a punch and reasonable length. — 12 years ago

Three Knights

Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2012

Gary Fenstra

9.0

The 2012 is not the Trader Joe's version mentioned in 2009 reviews. We are loving the balance between the fruit and butterscotch finish, which comes through in a Hampton Inn paper cup. — 12 years ago